WHS PTSA Meeting Minutes – 11/15/12

Meeting was called to order at 7:07

Attendees:

Tom Moore (Principal)

Patti Silva (Co-Chair)

Robin Bourssa (Co-Chair)

Dave Schroeder (Treasurer)

Secretary’s Report - Maty Lara was not in attendance, there were no minutes read.

Treasurer’s Report – Dave Schroeder reported that there was $1,051 balance in the account. Safe Graduation has requested a donation. PTSA has given $300.00 for the past 2 years, previous to that was $250.00 3 years ago.

A motion was made by Lisa Stefano and seconded by Marybeth Maluccio to donate $300.00 to the Safe Graduation Committee.

Dave also mentioned that he had several membership checks still to deposit.

Principal’s Report

Mr. Moore mentioned that Asst. Principal/Athletic Director Michael Maltese was in attendance to report on Fall Sports.

Mr. Moore mentioned that ETS – Education Testing Systems has recognized us as a school as an Advanced Placement Honor Roll School. We were one of 434 schools recognized. This is an honor bestowed on schools by the number of Advanced Placement classes offered at a high school. Mr. Moore mentioned that WHS would continue to try to increase the number of students taking AP courses. There is a plan to offer AP courses in Psychology, US & European History.

Mr. Moore continued the WHS Band did a fabulous job at their National Competition at the Met Life Stadium in New Jersey. They placed 10 out of 50 Bands in their category, 6th in New England. Dave Dion does an outstanding job in motivating all the students at different levels toward their goals.

He also said that there would be a Safe School Climate Survey in the mail soon to parents. It is mandated by the State. It is in conjunction with the Bullying Study. The survey is 10 questions – not difficult.

Circle of Friends will have a gathering at Friendly’s.

Report cards are ready. There was an issue of the Honor Roll designation that needed to be added to the report. The report cards will be out possibly by 11/16 but more likely by 11/19. Marybeth Maluccio mentioned that RHAM H.S. had a Power School problem too, specifically with their grade point average calculation.

Professional Development was held recently and that a gentleman from CREC helped them with the Parent Portal which maybe available in December.

The Powder Puff game is being held tonight.

The first quarter was lengthened 2 days. Any more days and it will bump exams by one day. Exams start Tuesday after MLK Day.

Allison Loiseau is returning from maternity leave. There are two Spanish teachers, Mrs. Russo & Mrs. DeMonte will going on maternity leave.

The Superintendent Recognition went to the following students, Matt Wilson & Cara Balesano. Cindy Proccacini was recognized as the Support person & Paul Braren recognized as the parent recipient.

Renovation updates – Tom Moore

Over the past 2 weeks, presentations were made to WSPC & Board of Education by the architect. They are now in the design and development phase. The Construction Manager gave an update. Everything is on budget as of now.

Looking at possible upgrades in 2 areas – the culinary area (upgrading to a Commercial type of facility. The other area is in a installing a 2nd elevator in the northeast corner of the school.

There will be no solar panels in the front of the school; they are being moved to the center of the school. Construction will begin on July 20th.

The first phase will include the Bus loop, new gym, media center, music area, & locker rooms. The kids will be able to take advantage of the new gym the 2nd year of the project.

Boys and girls basketball will be played at SDMS. Volleyball and wrestling will stay in the old gym and tennis will move to Mill Woods.

Parking is still an issue. The discussion of having another parking lot built by Wintergreen Woods is a separate issue. It would be cost prohibitive, there will be no reimbursement by the state. Issues include the lack of safety by the woods, environmental concerns because it’s considered wetlands. It would also put the project over budget and out of schedule.

There will be a new sound system in the football field, new bleachers, new grading to make it handicapped accessible, newly renovated concession stand, new fencing, new press box/sound system. Theses renovations may happen the2nd year of the project. Home/Away seating will be flipped so that the Home bleachers will be on the side of the field where you first enter. The turf is not included in the renovation and the lifespan of the turf is scheduled to expire by the end of the project and the update to the turf will fall under capital improvement.

Parking is being looked at because there will only be 75 spaces left for seniors next year and there will probably be a lottery for those spots.

Mike Maltese – Asst. Principal

Mr. Maltese discussed how exciting Fall Athletics were these past few months. He mentioned a few of the sports – girls soccer, girls swimming at Yale & Varsity Football (played at Newington this year). All Conference boys & girls Cross Country finals were hosted by WHS. The Sparkle Cheer Squad did a great job this year.

There were 354 students that participated in Fall Athletics, 143 were freshman. 115 of them participated also in the Band, 15 in Color Guard & 22 in the Jazz Band

Arsenic & Old Lace had 27 students participating in the Play. Guys & Dolls will be performed in the Spring.

WSPC Report – Patti Silva

Patti mentioned that Superintendent Michael Emmett attended their recent meeting and gave a presentation on the High School Renovation. He also spoke on the school Calendar issue. Communicated about the nature of the Calendar Survey. The concern by many parents was that they were not listened to. The vote was brought up by the Board of Education again and the Traditional Calendar will be the Calendar that will be followed next year.

WSPC is considering screening the movie “Bully” sometime in February.

Patti also asked for clarification on the policy for School Cell Phone use. The Board Policy (513A in the WHS Student Handbook) states that cell phones are allowed. Mr. Moore mentioned that WHS is still learning what to do and what not to do in regards of cell phone use. Mr. Moore stated that the Protocol is that teachers don’t take the phones from the students. He mentioned that the phones are important to the students and that he doesn’t want it to be an area of confrontation.

Each teacher has a different expectation and that specific cell phone use in the classroom is up to each teacher but as long as it is within school policy.

Safe Grad Report – Marybeth Maluccio

The apparel sale order form is online if anyone is interested in purchasing clothing. There will also be a table in the hallway the evening of Sports Awards and at the Arsenic & Old Lace Play.

The Safe Grad Committee meets the first Monday of every month in the Community Center, Room S-2. Next meeting is 12/3 @7:30.

The Safe Grad Dance will be on March 2nd at the Community Center. They are presently soliciting raffle donations.

Teacher Report – John Sands

Mr. Sands has been teaching for 13 years. He provided a classroom perspective.

Open Discussion

Mr. Sands has interactive classes and that many students really enjoy his classes.

Marybeth Maluccio suggested we try to have a student come to PTSA meetings.

Fall Induction to the National Honor Society was held, 7 students were inducted.

Mr. Moore is presently working on the Newsletter, working on the website update with new staff names and photos.

On November 29 will be Fall Sports Awards. Kudos to Michael Maltese on attending many Sports and Band Competitions.

There will be no December meeting and Dave Schroeder mentioned the next meeting will be scheduled for Thursday January 17th.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15pm.

Respectfully submitted by

Robin Bourassa

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